Carton handling apparatus



Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA cARToN HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1958 mmm.

ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1958 mnlmHn-MHV MIJN-ihk NWN DMN O ou QQ l o@ cn INVEN'roR v HAROLD J. MUMMA ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 18, 1958 os mw Nubm #Ov OO- Om @bm A ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA 3,112,023

CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 4o 'IE E INVEN'raR |42 HAROLD J. MUMMA ATTO R N EY Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA i 3,112,023

' CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS me@ April 18, 195s s sheets-sheet 5 INVEN-roR HAROLD J. Mum.

ATTQRN EY Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA 3,112,023 cARToN HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1958 a sheets-snet e 2oz C' '98 INVENTOR HAROLD J. MUMMA ATTORNEY Nov. 26, 1963 H. J. MUMMA 3,112,023

CARTON HANDLIN APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 z'f' F IEAJE:

INVENTOR HARQLD J. MUMMA ATTO R N EY Nov. Z6, 1963 H. J. MUMMA 3,112,023

CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 F {E IQL INVENTQR HAROLD J. MUMMA ATTO R-N EY United States Patent() 3,112,023 CARTON HANDLING APPARATUS Harold J. Mumma, Riverside, Calif., assgnor to FMC Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 729,466 2 Claims. (Cl. 198-106) This invention relates to carton handling equipment, and more particularly to a machine for feeding empty cartons to a carton filling machine.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved car-ton feeding machine.

Another 'object is to provide an improved machine for feeding egg cartons 'of the type adapted to contain one dozen eggs and characterized by two rows of pockets each adapted to receive an individual egg.

My copending application Serial No. 477,361, filed December 23, 1954, now Patent No. 2,993,622, issued July 25, 1961, discloses an apparatus for `feeding double row egg cartons of the type referred to, wherein the cartons are advanced to and past an egg delivering apparatus of an egg packing machine, with the cartons moving sidewise, i.e., in a direction to which the pocket rows are perpendicular. Under certain circumstances, it is desirable to advance such cartons endwise to the egg delivering apparatus of an egg packing machinefor example, delivering apparatus for depositing eggs in only two rows can be of simpler and less expensive construction than apparatus capable of delivering eggs to six rows of pockets as is required v'of a machine for lling cartons supplied sidewis-e thereto. Therefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a machine for endwise feeding of double pocket row egg cartons.

Another object is to provide a machine for storing egg cartons of the type having two rows of eigg receiving pockets and for delivering the cartons individually to a conveyor in -a position wherein their pocket rows extend longitudinally `of the conveyor to enable the conveyor to advance the cartons endwise.

Another object is to provide a carton storing and feeding apparatus for delivering the cartons individually and for advancing successively delivered cartons endwise and in a succession of short movements each of which corresponds to the center-to-center spacing of the egg pockets in the rows of pockets, so as to dispose the pockets of each row successively in receiving relation to the egg delivering apparatus.

Another object is to provide for suitable spacing between adjacent cartons as they are intermittently advanced to and past a filling station.

Another object is to provide a carton handling ap paratus of the character indicated, which is of small size and which operates dependably.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a partly broken away, longitudinal, vertical section through the carton feeding machine of the invention along lines 1-1 of FIG. 2, showing the machine in cooperative relation with apparatus for delivering eggs into the cartons.

FIGURE 2 is a section along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, but with the egg delivering apparatus removed to show structural detail of the carton handling apparatus in Iplan.

FIGURE 3 is a section along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse vertical section along lines S-S of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail view of a clutch mecha- 3,112,023 Patented Nov. 26, 1963 lCC nism that is employed in the power train of the carton feeding machine of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective of the clutch mechanism of FIG. 6.

FIGURE -8 is an enlarged fragmentary section along lines `8--3 of FIG. 3, showing the cam arrangement for operating the mechanism that causes cartons to be released singly from the storage magazine.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8, taken along lines 9 9 of FIG. 3 to show the cam arrangement for operating the mechanism that propels the carton released from the magazine onto the conveyor that advances them to and past the packing station.

FIGURES 10, 111, 12, and 13 are longitudinal vertical sectional views, largely diagrammatic, illustrating successive stages of an operating cycle of the carton feeding machine of the invention.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective of an egg carton of the type handled by the carton feeding machine of the invention.

General Description of the Machine The carton feeding machine 2li of the invention comprises an intermittently operating carton supply conveyor 22 (FIGS. l-5 and l0-13) that extends below and at right angles to a conveyor 24 (FIG. l) that carries in single file eggs to be packed into cartons C on the conveyor 22. A carton magazine 26 (FIGS. 1 5) is disposed `above the carton supply conveyor 22 at a point in front of the egg supply conveyor 24 and is adapted to receive a stack of the cartons C, the parts being so proportioned that the cartons are free to move vertically within the magazine 26. A carton dispensing mechanism 28 is operable to deposit the cartons C individually on a receiving platform 30 from which they are swept by a propelling mechanism 32 onto the conveyor -22 for conveyance thereon into egg receiving position below the egg supply conveyor 24. A control `mechanism 34 is operated in such a manner that the egg supply conveyor 24 drops two eggs into an aligned pair of pockets in a carton C below the egg conveyor, whereupon the supply conveyor 22 is actuated to advance the carton C a distance effective to place a directly succeeding pair of pockets of the carton into egg receiving position below the egg supply conveyor 24. The egg supply conveyor is then caused to drop another two eggs, and this operation is repeated until all pockets of the carton C are filled. At appropriate intervals corresponding to a number of advancements of the carton conveyor that is equal to the number of pairs of pockets in a carton C, the dispensing mechanism 28 is actuated todeposit an individual carton on the platform Y 30, whereupon the propelling mechanism 32 is operated to sweep the newly released carton onto the conveyor 22. This sweeping movement occurs at the necessary speed to place it closely behind the immediately preceding carton C, thus eliminating the space between cartons which developed as a consequence of the fact that the carton being lilled experiences some of its advancing movement while the succeeding carton is being delivered to the receiving platform 30 and while the cartons above said succeeding carton are being lifted therefrom.

The Carton Conveyor 22 The carton supply conveyor 22 comprises -an endless sprocket chain 40 (FIGS. 1-5) trained around a trailing sprocket 42 and a leading sprocket 44. AThe trailing A sprocket 42 is the drive sprocket of the conveyor 22 and is firmly mounted `on a transverse shaft 46 that is rotatably supported in a pair `of bearings 448a (FIGS. 3 and 5) and 4gb (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) carried by vertically disposed, transversely spaced side panels `5G which form part of 'the conveyor frame 52 and whose bottom edges are turned inward to form base flanges 54 that are rigidly interconnected by a plurality of cross straps 56 to impart sturdiness to the structure. The upper edges, also, of the side panels 50 are turned inward to present top flanges 57 that are in coplanar alignment and whose inner edges are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the shorter horizontal dimension of one of the cartons C intended to be handled by this carton feeding machine 20. The leading sprocket 44 is an idler sprocket and is rotatably mounted upon a transverse shaft 58 which is adjustably supported in another pair of transversely spaced, vertically disposed side panels 60 (FIGS. 15) each of which is rigidly connected to one of the first-mentioned side panels 50 by a longitudinal frame member 62 both of which are obliquely disposed because the side panels 60 are spaced apart a lesser distance than the side panels 50. The bottom edges of the forward side panels 60 likewise are turned inw-ard to form base anges 64 which are interconnected by a cross plate 66.

The sprocket chain 40 carries at suitably spaced ntervals throughout its length a series of pusher lugs 68 (FIGS. 1-5) each of which is rigidly secured to and projects outward from one of the links of the chain. The pusher lugs 68 are spaced apart distances slightly greater than the length of one of the cartons C intended to be handled by the carton feeding machine 20.

The specific design of carton feeding apparatus 20 chosen for illustration yand description herein is proportioned to handle egg cartons C of the type illustrated in FIG. 14. This exemplary carton holds one dozen eggs, being provided with 4two longitudinally extending rows 70 of pockets 72 with six of the pockets 72 in each row 70 and each pocket 72 being adapted to receive an individual egg. The carton C is formed from an elongate sheet of cardboard folded transversely at its longitudinal center line to present an upstanding central partition 74 between the two rows 70 of pockets. The partition 74 is of lesser height than the depth of the carton C inasmuch as the bottoms of the pockets 72 are defined by outwardly flared parts 76 that slope downward and outward from the lower edge of the partition 74 -and by upwardly flared parts 78 that slope upward and outward from the lower edges of the downwardly flared parts 76 and which define the outer sides of the egg receiving pockets 72. The top of the carton C is defined by flaps 80 that are adapted to be folded inw-ard from the positions thereof in which they are illustrated in FIG. 14 into positions overlying the tops of the pockets 72 so as to provide a closure for the carton after the same has been filled. The pockets 72 of each row are separated by transversely extending partitions 82 that project upward through slots 84 in the sloping bottom portions 76 and 78 of the carton.

The pusher lugs 68 of the conveyor 22 are arranged to engage the after ends of the cartons C in order to feed the cartons individually to egg receiving position below the egg conveyor 24. During such feeding the cartons slide upon a pair of longitudinally extending slide rails 90 that are disposed at either side of the upper run 92 of the conveyor chain 40. At the forward end of the machine 20 the slide rails 90 project beyond the forward end of the conveyor 22, where they are welded to an angle bar 94 whose ends are welded to the side panels 50 of the conveyor frame S2. The other ends of the rails 90 extend all the way to the rear end of the conveyor 22 where they are supported by spacer blocks 95 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that are welded to the [rails and to the hereinbefore mentioned rear side panels `60. A guide bar 96 which slidably supports the upper run 92 of the sprocket chain 40 is supported by transversely extending rods 98a and 98h, the former of which extends rigidly between the rails 90 and the latter between the rear side panels 60 of the conveyor frame 52. The parts are so arranged that the upper run 92 of the conveyor chain 40 extends along the longitudinal centerline of the bottom of the carton while the two supporting rails 90 at either side of the chain 40 slidably engage the lower edges lof the transverse partitions 82 of the carton where they project laterally outward beyond the sloping parts 78 of the carton bottom. During movement of a carton from the receiving platform 30 onto the conveyor 22 and during movement thereof on the conveyor 22, the carton is guided by and between two longitudinally extending, vertical guide plates 99 that are spaced aparta distance but slightly greater than the shorter horizontal dimension of a carton C. The guide plates 99 are supported at their forward ends by the frame anges S7 and at their rear ends by the rear side panels 60.

The Power Train.

To operate the carton supply conveyor 22, the carton dispensing mechanism 28, and the carton propelling mechanism '32, rotary power from a motor (not shown) which operates continually during the performance of the machine is applied to a sprocket 100 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) that is secured to a shaft 102 which extends through one of the forward side panels 50 and is rotatably supported in a suitable bearing 104. Within the frame 52 the shaft 102 carries a driving sprocket 106 rigidly secured thereto, and a sprocket chain 108 is trained around the sprocket 106 and around a driven sprocket 110 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 5) which is secured to a sleeve 112 (FIGS. 6 and 7) that turns upon the drive shaft 46 of the conveyor 22 and which is rotatably supported by a bearing 48b carried by the same side panel 50 as that through which the shaft 102 extends.

interposed between the sleeve 112 and the conveyor drive shaft 46 is a clutch '116 that is normally held in disengaged position so that the carton supply conveyor `22 remains at rest, and which is briefly engaged whenever it is necessary to advance the carton supply conveyor to move an empty pair of pockets of a carton thereon into egg receiving position relative to the egg supply conveyor 24.

The Clutch 116 Having reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the sleeve 112 is formed with a radially enlarged head 118 which is encircled by a coil spring 120. The trailing end of the spring 120 (viewed in the direction of rotation of the sleeve 112, which is indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 7) is secured to a disc 122 that is firmly mounted upon the conveyor drive shaft 46, while its leading end is secured to a ratchet wheel 124 that is rotatably supported upon the sleeve 112 by means of a ball bearing 126. -Norrnally the ratchet wheel 124 is prevented from rotating by means of a latching pawl 128 that is pivotally mounted upon a stud shaft 130 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which projects from the inner surface of a bracket `131 rigidly secured by bolts 1312 and spacer sleeves 134 (FIG. 5) to the forward frame panel 50. The nose 136 of the pawl 128 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is forced into engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 124 by means of a strong spring 138 (FIG. 4). As long as the leading end of the clutch spring 120 which surrounds the sleeve head 118 is positively restrained from movement in the direction of rotation of the sleeve 112 by its connection with the ratchet 124 in latched condition, while frictional engagement of said clutch spring 120 with the head 118 of the rotating sleeve 112 endeavors to impart rotation to said clutch spring 120, the spring 120 is subjected to an un winding stress which increases its diameter so that its turns lose contact with the sleeve head 118. As a result, the sleeve 112 idles ineffectively within the clutch spring 120 and the drive shaft 46 of the carton supply conveyor 22 remains at rest.

However, when the pawl 128 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 124 the clutch spring 120 may contract to its normal diameter and grip the sleeve head 118; and as the spring 120 tends to turn with the sleeve 112 While its trailing end is held back by the inertia of the conveyor mechanism to whose disc 122 it is secured, as explained hereinbefore, the spring 120 is subjected to a winding stress which reduces its diameter so that it firmly clutches the rotating sleeve head 118 and participates fully in the rotary movement thereof, forcing the conveyor drive shaft 46 to follow suit. When rotation of the ratchet 124 is blocked by reengagement of the pawl 128 with a subsequent one of the ratchet teeth the spning 120 is again subjected to an unwinding stress which interrupts the driving connection between the sleeve 112 and the conveyor drive shaft 46, and the conveyor comes to a halt.

To prevent the conveyor 22 from being advanced too far by its own momentum when rotation of the ratchet 124 is arrested by the pawl 128, the disc 122 is provided with an adjustable stop member 140 that is arranged to strike against a stop ledge 142 which is rigidly secured to and projects laterally from the ratchet wheel 124 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

Disengagement of the pawl 128 from the ratchet 124 for the purpose of causing the carton supply conveyor 22 to advance is effected by means of a solenoid 151i (FIG. 4) that is mounted upon the bracket 131 below the pawl 128. The normally projected armature 152 (FIG. 4) of the solenoid 150 is pivotally connected through a link 154 (FIG. 3) to the free end of the pawl 128. Thus, when the solenoid 150 is energized and retracts the armature 152 it retracts the nose 136 of the pawl from the ratchet wheel 124, causing engagement of the clutch 116 in the manner described hereinbefore. Since each carton C has six consecutive transversely aligned pairs of pockets as illustrated in FIG. 14 the carton supply conveyor 22 is arranged to advance ive times through the relatively short distance that is necessary to place a directly succeeding pair of pockets 72 into egg receiving position below the egg supply conveyor 24; and after the last pair of pockets 72 of a particular carton has been filled with eggs, the carton feeding conveyor 22 is advanced a distance appropriate to place the leading pair of pockets of a succeeding carton into egg receiving position relative to the egg supply conveyor. Accordingly, the peripheral edge of the ratchet wheel 124 is divided into live teeth 156 (three of which are shown in FIG. 7) that have relatively short backs corresponding to the short conveyor advancement necessary to place a directly succeeding pair of pockets into egg receiving position, and a sixth tooth 158 having a longer back corresponding to the conveyor advancement necessary to place the iirst pair of pockets of a succeeding carton into egg receiving position relative to the egg supply conveyor 24.

Energization of the pawl retracting solenoid 150 is controlled either by a manually operated switch (not shown) or from a central control mechanism (not shown) that governs the release of eggs from the egg supply conveyor 24 as well as the advancements of the carton supply conveyor 22 in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The Magazine 26 Disposed partly above the carton supply conveyor 22 ahead of the egg supply conveyor 24 is the magazine 26 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5) which is of rectangular horizontal cross section and which is a size appropriate to receive a stack of vertically superposed cartons C. The magazine 26 includes a lower section 178 which has two vertically disposed side walls 172 having outwardly directed iianges 174 at their upper ends. The lower magazine section 170 also has end walls 176 terminating at their lower ends at a level above that of the lower ends of side walls 172. Outwardly directed lianges 178 are provided at the lower ends of side walls 172 and the magazine 26 is supported by legs 188 that are secured at their lower ends to the frame side panels 50 and whose upper ends curve inward and are welded to the iianges 178 at the lower ends of the magazine side walls 172.

The magazine 26 also includes an upper section 184 resting upon and secured to the flanges 174 at the upper ends of the lower section side walls 172. The upper magazine section 184 is defined by four vertically extending angle plates 186 of right angle cross section. Each of the side walls of the upper magazine section 184 is defined by alinged flanges of two of the angle plates 186 which are nigidly interconnected by tie rods 188 (FIG. 1) and the rear end wall of the upper magazine section is likewise defined by the aligned flanges of two of the corner angle plates 186 similarly connected by tie rods 190 (FIG. 1). The front wall of the upper magazine section is defined by the inwardly directed aligned lianges of two of the corner angle plates, but in this instance the iianges are not interconnected, with the result that the space therebetween is unencumbered. This permits iilling the magazine 26 by thrusting the cartons into the interior of the upper magazine section through the open front wall of the same. To facilitate such insertion of the cartons, forwardly flaring flanges 192 are provided on the inner edges of the lianges that define the front wall of the upper magazine section as best shown in FIG. 2. For the same purpose, the forward edges of the side flanges of the rear corner angle plates are iiared outward as indicated at 194 in FIGS. 1 and 2, to guide the cartons into proper position within the magazine as they are inserted thereinto.

Freedom of vertical movement of the cartons stacked within the magazine 26 is promoted by Telion rods 196 (FIG. l) that are secured to the inner faces of the lower magazine section side walls 172. The low coeiiicient of friction that characterizes Teflon minimizes any tendency for the cartons to bind as they move vertically within the lower section 170 of the magazine. Thus it may be seen that the cartons C within the magazine 26 are free to gravitate through the open bottom of the magazine to be supported upon the forward ends of the slide rails 90, which, therefore, serve as the platform 30 to receive cartons from the magazine 26.

A pair of laterally spaced rods 198 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 10-13) are secured to the rear end wall 176 of the lower magazine section 170 adjacent the lower end thereof, from which the rods 19S slope downward and rearward, i.e., in the direction in which the cartons move as they pass out from under the magazine 170. The rods 198 arc in position to be engaged by the upstanding flaps of a carton during such movement and, since their lower ends are farther apart than their upper ends, the flaps 80 are spread apart as the carton emerges from under the magazine. About midway of their length the rods 198 are bent so as to dispose their lower ends 200 in spaced apart relation and at such elevation above the level of the slide rails that said lower ends of the rods 198 retain the spread apart flaps 80 in substantially iiattened relation. The horizontal ends 268 of the rods 19S are of sufficient length to hold the flaps 80 in this iiattened condition at least until the leading end of the carton arrives under the egg conveyor 24.

The magazine 26 is so positioned that its side walls are parallel to and equally spaced laterally outward from the vertical planes of the slide rails 90, with the result that each carton is deposited onto the receiving platform 30 from the magazine 26 in position with its major axis eX- tending longitudinally of carton conveyor 22, i.e., with its rows 78 of pockets 72 extending parallel to the direction in which the carton is to be advanced by the conveyor 22. It is also to be observed that the receiving platform 30 (the forward ends of the slide rails 90) projects forward beyond the forward sprocket 42 of the conveyor 22; and since only approximately the rear half of the magazine 26 is above the conveyor chain 40, when a carton C is deposited onto the receiving platform 30 only a fractional part of its length is over the conveyor chain 40. It is necessary, therefore, to propel the carton at least partly out from under the magazine 26 in the direction of travel of the upper run 92 of the conveyor chain 40 before the carton can be engaged by one of the pusher lugs 68 in a 7 manner permitting the latter to advance the carton along the conveyor.

The Carton Dispensing Mechanism 28 Inasmuch as it would not be conducive to dependable operation to initiate advancement of the lowermost carton C along the conveyor 22 while the weight of those thereabove within the magazine is imposed thereupon, the hereinbefore mentioned carton dispensing mechanism 28 is arranged to pick up all of the stack of cartons except the lowermost and thus to release the lowermost carton for advancement along the slide rails 90. The dispensing mechanism 28 (FIGS. l, 2, 4 and 5) comprises a pair of spaced carton engaging pads 202 adapted to make frictional, pressure engagement with the opposite ends of a carton C. Each pad 202 comprises a backing 284 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a facing 206 of rubber or rubber-like material and is characterized by spaced, parallel ridge-like beads or ribs 207 (FIGS. l and 5) which extend horizontally and which preferably are slit or cut across as shown at 208 (FIG. 5) at closely spaced intervals throughout their length to increase the tenacity with which they are capable of gripping a carton between the two pads with minimum liability of damaging the carton.

Each pad 202 is cemented or otherwise firmly secured to the inner face of a mounting plate 210 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to the outer face of which a longitudinally slotted bracket 212 is rigidly secured. Each mounting plate 210 is rigidly but adjustably secured to the lower end of an arm 214 by means of a bolt 215 extending through the slot in its bracket 212 and through a hole in the lower end of the associated arm 214. Each arm 214 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in a guide 216 rigidly mounted on the associated end wall 176 of the lower magazine section 170. Each arm 214 is provided with upper and lower guide rollers 218 and 220, respectively, rotatably mounted upon pins 222 and 224, respectively, rigid with and projecting laterally from a side face of the arm 214. The upper roller 218 of each arm is reciprocable in a straight, vertical slot 226 in a side wall of the respective guide 216 and the lower roller 220 is similarly received within slot 228 in the same side wall. The lower slot 228 is straight and vertical throughout most of its length while its lower end 230 curves outward away from the magazine 26.

As a consequence of this arrangement, the lower ends of the arms 214 and the carton gripping pads 202 carried thereby are spread farther apart as the arms approach their lower limit of reciprocatory movement, and are forced toward each other during the early stage of the upward movement of the arms. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the lower rollers 220 are in the upper straight parts of the slots 228, the pads 202 are spaced apart just far enough to grip a carton C between themselves with a sucient pressure to support the weight of the carton and of those resting thereupon but without crushing or otherwise damaging the gripped carton. Furthermore, the carton dispensing mechanism 28 is mounted at such elevation above the slide rails 90 that when the rollers 22() leave the curved parts 230 of the slots 228 and enter the straight parts thereof during the upward strokes of the arms 214, the pads 202 are just high enough to engage the ends of the next to the lowest carton C of a stack of superimposed cartons supported upon the receiving platform 30. Consequently, as the arms 214 continue their upward stroke, the entire stack is raised within the magazine with the exception of the lowermost carton which remains upon the platform 30; and since the weight of the other cartons then is no longer imposed upon this one carton the latter is free to slide along the rails 90.

The carton dispensing mechanism 28 is further provided with means for vertically reciprocating the arms 214, including a connecting rod 236 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) associated with each arm 214 and pivotally connected to the upper end thereof as by a ball and socket joint 238. The

lower end of each connecting rod 236 is pivotally connected to a crank arm 240 and both crank arms 240 are rigidly secured to a rock shaft 242 that is journaled in suitable bearings 244 mounted in horizontal alignment with each other on the outer face of one of the side walls 172 of the lower magazine section 170. Likewise firmly secured to the rock shaft 242 and projecting oppositely therefrom as compared with the crank arms 240, is a lever 246, the outer end of which is pivoted, preferably by a ball and socket joint 248, to the upper end of a connecting rod 259 that extends through a clearance hole 251 (FIG. 2) in the top ange 57 of one of the forward side panels 5i) of the frame 52. The lower end of the connecting rod 250 is pivoted to the free end of a lever 254 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 8), the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a pin 256 carried by one of the forward side panels 50.

A cam follower roller 258 (FIG. 8) is rotatably mounted on the lever 254 intermediate the ends thereof. The parts are so arranged that the weight of the arms 214 urges the cam follower roller 258 against the periphery of a disc cam 260 that is secured to the drive shaft 46 of the carton conveyor 22 for rotation therewith. The periphery of the cam 260 includes a section 262 of constant radius and of somewhat more than angular extent, a quite steep rise 264 and an equally steep fall 266 intersecting at a low point 267. So steep, in fact, are the rise 264 and fall 266 of the cam 260 that a support plate 268 is rigidly secured to one face of the cam 264 in position extending radially therefrom to support a retaining strip 270 in fixed spaced relation to the periphery of the cam 260. T he retaining strip 270 is opposite the fall 266 and is adapted to guide the roller 258 into the intervening space as the roller 258 leaves the constant radius portion 262 and thus ensure that the roller maintains contact with, or at least remains close to, the fall 266 of the cam 260. Also provided is a spring 272 which is under tension between the free end of the lever 254 and an eye 274 on the under side of the frame ange 57 through which the connecting rod 250 extends. The spring 272 cooperates with the weight of the arms 214 to hold the roller 258 against the cam 260 as the roller leaves the rise 264 and passes onto the constant radius portion 262 of the cams periphery.

A cycle of operation of the carton dispensing mechanism 28 starts when the cam follower roller 258 is engaged by that part of the periphery of the cam 260 where the rise 264 and fall 266 intersect. Since this lis the part of the cam of least radius the roller 258 and the lever 254 on which it is carried will be at their upper limit of movement, as will also the connecting rod 250 and the lever 246 on the rock shaft 242. Consequently, the crank arms 240, the connecting rods 236, and the arms 214 will be at their lowest positions and the carton gripping pads 202 will be in alignment with, but spaced outwardly from the ends of the next to the lowest carton in a stack, the upper part of which is enclosed loosely within the magazine 26. As the cam 260 turns (the direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 8) the rise 264 of the cam forces the roller 258 downward, lowering the lever 254 and connecting rod 250 and turning the rock shaft 242 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5. This raises the arms 214, and as they rise, the pads 202 are cammed inward into gripping engagement with the opposed ends of the next to the lowest carton due to the coaction of the roller 220 and the curved lower ends of the slots 228. As the arms continue to rise with the lower ends moving vertically due to the straight vertical nature of the upper portions of the slots 228, the pads 202 lift the carton engaged therebetween and with it the entire stack of cartons resting thereupon. When the cam follower roller 258 passes from the rise 264 onto the constant radius portion 262 of the cam 260 the arms will cease to rise and will remain motionless throughout the relatively long period during which the entire constant radius portion 262 passes over the follower roll 258;

but when the cam 260 turns far enough for the roller 258 i to pass onto the fall 266 the arms 214 will be lowered, carrying with them the entire stack of cartons supported by the two pads 202. When the arms move downward far enough for their rollers 220 to enter the outwardly curved portions 230 of the slots 228 the pads 202 will be spread apart, causing them to release the carton gripped therebetween and the entire stack of cartons will drop the then remaining short distance to the receiving platform 30. The mechanism 28 then will have completed one full cycle of its operation. As the next succeeding cycle commences the pads 202 will engage the then next to the lowest carton in the stack and lift all but the lowermost carton which is thus released for freedom of sliding movement by being relieved of the weight of the cartons thereabove.

The Carton Propelling Mechanism 32 As hereinbefore mentioned, when a carton is deposited onto the receiving platform 30 only about half of its length is above the conveyor chain 40, while the other half projects beyond the forward end of the conveyor 22 toward the forward end of the slide rails 90. Consequently the carton requires being propelled or advanced into position above the conveyor chain 40 before it can be properly engaged by a pusher lug 68 thereof for advancement by the lug. The carton propelling means 32 (FIGS. 1 5) for accomplishing this function comprises a carriage 282 including two parallel side bars 284 extending alongside of, and spaced outwardly from, the slide rails 90. The ends of the side bars 284 are inclined downward and a grooved wheel 286 is rotatably mounted on each of the four ends of the two side bars 284. These wheels 286 are supported upon the upper edges of two auxiliary rails 288, each of which is in planar alignment with one of the rails 90 and is rigidly mounted in spaced relation therebelow to accommodate two of the wheels 286 between itself and the associated rail 90 immediately thereabove. The proximate edges of both pairs of rails 90 and 288 are bevelled to lit within the grooves of the wheels 286 and thus guide the carriage 282 in movement longitudinally of the carton conveyor 24.

The side bars 284 of the carriage are interconnected at their rear ends by a cross bar 290 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4). A link 292 is pivoted at one end to one side bar 284 of the carriage 282 adjacent the after end thereof, and the other end of the link is pivoted to the upper end of a lever 294, the lower end of which is pivotally mounted between two small plates 296 welded to and disposed in planes perpendicular to one of the cross straps 56 at the bottom of the frame 52. Accordingly, the lever 294 is mounted for pivotal oscillatory movement in a manner causing the carriage 282 to reciprocate longitudinally of the machine 20.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the lever 294 is pivoted intermediately of its length to one end of a longitudinally adjustable link 300 by a pin 301. The opposite end of the link 300 is pivoted to a lever 302 adjacent the lower end thereof by means of a pivot pin 304. Each of the pivot pins 301 and 304 is subject to adjustment relative to its associated lever 294 or 302, as the case might be, to vary the effective length of the lever, for which purpose longitudinal slots 306 and 307 are provided in the levers 294 and 302, respectively, and each pin 301, 304 is adapted to be secured in selected position of adjustment along its associated slot.

The lever 302 is pivotally mounted at its upper end on a small plate 308 welded to the undersurface of the top flange 57 of one of the forward side panels 50 of the conveyor frame 52. A cam follower roller 310 is rotatably mounted on the lever 302 approximately midway of its length and is cooperatively associated with a disc cam 312 that is secured to the conveyor drive shaft 46 for rotation therewith similarly to the cam 260 that operates the carton dispensing mechanism 28. The direction of 10 t rotation of the cam 312 is indicated by the arrow R of FIG. 9. The periphery of the cam 312 is formed with a high point 314 and a low section 316 of constant radius interconnected by a rise 318 and a fall 320.

The cam 312 is likewise provided with a support plate 322 carrying a retaining strip 324 spaced outward from the periphery of the cam 312 in position to retract the roller 310 and thus swing the lever 302 to the left as viewed in FIG. 9 as the cam 312 presents its fall 320 to the roller. Such movement of the lever causes retraction of the carriage 282, i.e., movement of the carriage 282 toward the forward ends of the rails 90, disposing fingers 326 (FIGS. 1-4) rigid with and upstanding from the forward end of the carriage 282 in such position that when the dispensing mechanism 28 subsequently releases a carton onto the platform 30, the carton is in position to be engaged and advanced to the conveyor 22 when the return stroke of the carriage 282 occurs in response to presentation of the rise 318 of the cam 312 to the follower roller 310.

As is clearly indicated by the relative positioning of the cams 260 and 312 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fall 320 of the cam 312 is presented to the roller 310 during the latter half of the period during which the constant radius portion 262 of the cam 260 is presented to the roller 258-. Consequently the carriage 282 is drawn forward while the cartons within the magazine 26 are supported by the pads 202 in the uppermost position of the latter, which permits the lfingers 325 to pass freely under the raised cartons. At approxim-ately the time that the fall 266 of the cam 260 reaches the roller 258 the low, constant radius section 316 of the cam 312 will almost, if not quite, have reached the roller 310, with the result that the carriage 282 will be almost, if not qui-te, fully retracted before the dispensing mechanism 28 releases the cartons in the magazine onto the receiving platform 30. Accordingly, when the fall 266 is presented to the roller 258, causing the cartons supported by the pads 202 to be dropped onto the receiving platform, the lowermost carton will be -in position to be properly engaged by the lingers 326 dur-ing the ensuing advancement of the carriage 282.

Just before the rise 318 of the cam 312 begins to inuence the roller 310, and consequently just before the carriage 282 starts its working stroke, lthe steep rise 264 of the cam 260 reaches the roller 258 and forces it downward. This actuates the carton dispensing mechanism 2S to raise the arms 214, causing the pads 202 to engage the next to the lowest carton and lift it and those resting thereupon off the lowermost carton as hereinabove described. Due to the steepness of the rise 264, this occurs quite rapidly, thereby relieving the lowermost car-ton of the weight of those thereabove in ample time for the carriage 282 (which by then is being advanced toward the conveyor 22 as a consequence of engagement of the rise 318 of the cam 312 with the roller 310') to propel the single carton onto the conveyor 22 in position to be en' gaged by the next succeeding pusher lug 68.

Operation As mentioned hereinabove the car-ton conveyor 22 is actuated to advance cartons thereon in a step-by-step movement, each radvancement being of suflicient magnitude to remove a filled pairof pockets 72 of a carton C from receiving position below the egg conveyor 24 and to advance the next succeeding, empty pair of pockets into that position. The clutch 116 automatically operates to effect such movement of the conveyor 22, one advancement thereof resulting each ltime the solenoid is energized. Control mechanism for momentarily energizing the solenoid ,150 is provided in the egg packing machine of which the egg conveyor 24 is a part, but inasmuch as its constructional details and manner of operation do not constitute part of the present invention it need not be described herein. However, said control mechanism is 1 l disclosed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 477,361, now Patent No. 2,993,622, to which reference may be had for a full explanation of the same.

Let it be assumed that the motor (not shown) for driving the sprocket 100 has been placed in operation and that a stack of superimposed cartons C have been placed within the magazine 26. The latter should be done at a time when the carriage 282 is fully retracted and when the pads 202 of the carton dispensing mechanism 28 are in their lowest position and spread apart as illustrated in FIG. 10, so that the lowermost carton C-1 rests upon the receiving platform 30 and the fingers 326 of the carriage 282 are in position to propel the carton C1 when the carriage 282 is advanced. There being no carton under the egg conveyor 24 at this time, it will be necessary to energize the solenoid 156 manually several times in order to advance the carton `C-1 far enough to dispose its leading pair of pockets 72 into position to receive eggs from the conveyor 24 before reliance can be placed on the automatic mechanism `(not shown) of the egg packing machine to energize the solenoid.

When the carriage -282 and the carton dispensing mechanism 28 are in the above described initial position thereof illustrated in FIG. l0, the cams 260 and 312 will be in position rotated approximately 180 from the positions in which they are 4illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Consequently, when the solenoid 150 is energized for the tirst time, the conveyor drive shaft 46 will be turned slightly less than 60, which is sufficient to advance the conveyor chain 40 one step, -i.e., a distance corresponding to the center-to-center spacing of the carton pockets 72, but which is insuiiicient to move the constant radius portion 262 of the cam 260 past the roller 258 or to turn the cam 312 far enough for its rise 318 to have any material effect upon the roller 310. Conseqently, both the carton dispensing mechanism 28 and the carton propelling mechanism 32 remain motionless during the initial advancement of the carton conveyor 22.

The next time the solenoid 150 is energized however, causing the conveyor 22 to experience the second step of its advancing movement, the cam `260 will be turned far enough to present its rise 264 to the cam follower roller 258 forcing the latter downward almost, if not quite, to its lowest position. This will raise the arms 214 of the carton dispensing mechanism 28 almost, if not quite, to their highest position, eamming the lower ends of the arms 214 and the pads 202 carried thereby inward as they move upward, so that they engage the opposite ends of the next to the lowest carton C-2 and lift it as well as those supported thereupon to the position illustrated in FIG. 11.

This releases the lowermost carton C-1 so that the third time the solenoid 150 is energized, causing the conveyor 22 to experience its third advancing movement, the cam 260 is turned to present its constant radius section 262 to the roller 258 and thereby maintain the pads 202 and the cartons C supported thereby in raised position. About two-thirds of the length of the rise 318 of the cam 312 will be presented to the roller 310 with the result that the carriage 282 will be advanced considerably more than half its working stroke, carrying the carton C-1 toward, but not quite all the way into, the position in which yit can be engaged by the next succeeding pusher lug 68 of the conveyor 22.

As a consequence of the fourth energization of the solenoid 150 the cam 260 is again turned but not far enough to remove the constant radius section 262 thereof from the roller 258 so that the pads 202 remain in their fully elevated position without permitting the cartons supported within the magazine to move. At the same time, the cam 312 is turned to the position illustrated in FIG. 9, causing the carriage 282 to be moved to its most fully advanced position. The conveyor 22 is so synchronized with the cams 260 and 312 that during the fourth advancement thereof one of the pusher lugs 68 is turned upward about the drive sprocket 42 far enough to engage behind 12 the carton C-1 and progress the carton a short distance beyond the extreme forward position of the fingers 326 as clearly shown in FIG. l2.

When the solenoid is energized `for the iifth time the carriage 282 is retracted through approximately half of its return stroke and the constant radius portion 262 still engages the roller 258 so that the cartons fwithin the magazine remain motionless while the conveyor 22 experiences its fifth advancement.

Upon the sixth energization of the solenoid y15) the carriage 282 returns to rits star-ting position wherein it is fully retracted and the fall 266 of the cam 260 moves past the roller 258 permitting the same to rise to its uppermost position and causing the arms 214 of the carton dispensing mechanism 28 to move to their lowermost, spread apart position, so that carton C-2 drops onto the receiving platform 30 and causing the carton Ifeeding machine 28 to complete one full cycle of its operation. Furthermore, the carton C-1, at the termination of its movement in response to the sixth energization of the solenoid 150 will be progressed by a pusher lug 68 a slightly greater distance than in any of the preceding stepby-step movements thereof, enabling it to attain the position wherein the leading pair of egg receiving pockets 72 are in receiving position below the egg conveyor 24. Consequently, the carton feeding machine 20 then will be in condition to start automatic operation.

At this stage in the operation of the machine, the control mechanism 34 of the egg packing machine operates as described in my aforesaid copcnding application Serial No. 477,361) to cause an egg to be dropped in each of the pair of pockets 72 then disposed below the conveyor 24, whereupon the central control mechanism (not shown) closes a suitable switch (not shown) to automatically energize the solenoid 150. This causes the cam 260 to turn only so far that the low point 267 thereof passes only very slightly beyond the roller 2-58 presenting just the initial portion of the rise 264 to the roller but not enough to cause any material movement of the roller 258. Therefore, the carton dispensing mechanism 28 is not affected. Similarly, the constant radius portion 316 is the only portion of the cam 312 that engages the roller 310, as a consequence of this energization of the solenoid 150i. However, the conveyor chain 40 is advanced through one step of its movement so that the second pair of egg receiving pockets 72 is presented to the egg dispensing conveyor 24. Fhese operations constitute the irst stage of the second operating cycle of the machine 20, and correspond to the above described operations resulting from the iirst energization of the solenoid 150.

When the second pair of pockets of the carton C-l are filled, the automatic control mechanism again energizes the solenoid 150 causing the carton C-1 to present its third pair of pockets 72 to the conveyor 24 and causing the carton dispensing mechanism 28 to engage the then next -to the lowest carton C-3 upon the receiving platform and to lift it and those thereabove off the carton C-Z, releasing the latter for subsequent advancement.

When the third pair of pockets of the carton C-1 are filled the solenoid 150` is again energized, causing the carton C-1 to advance its fourth pair of pockets to egg receiving position and cause the carriage 282 to advance through approximately two-thirds of its stroke which is a considerably greater distance than that through which the carton C-1 is moved during any of its preceding short advancements, thus partially compensating for the fact that the carton C42 has remained motionless during the two immediately preceding movements of the carton C-1.

When the fourth pair of pockets of the carton C-1 are filled and the solenoid 15()` is again energized the carton C-1 is advanced to dispose its fifth pair of pockets in egg receiving position and the carriage 282 completes its relatively rapid forward movement placing the leading end of carton C-Z closely behind the pusher lug 68 that engages the rear end of the leading carton C-1.

When the fifth pair of pockets of the car-ton C-1 are tilted and the solenoid 150 is again energized, both cartons `C-l and C-2 are advanced by the conveyor 22 a distance corresponding to the center-to-center spacing between adjacent pairs ot pockets 72, thus placing the last pair of pockets of carton C-d in position to be filled. Carton C-3 remains in elevated position and is thus prevented from dropping onto the trailing end of carton C-2 which has not yet moved out from under it.

When the last pair of pockets of carton C-1 are filled and the solenoid 15? is again energized the relatively long tooth 158 of the ratchet wheel 124 of the clutch 116 moves past the pawl 128 thus causing the conveyor 22 `to advance the carton C-l and the empty carton C-Z a distance equal to the center-to-center spacing of the pairs of pockets 72 plus the distance between the cartons C-1 and C-2, with the result that the leading pair of pockets 72 of the next succeeding carton C-2 are placed into egg receiving position. This completes -another cycle of operation of the car-ton feeding machine 28.

The machine 28 will continue to operate automatically in the manner above described so long as the magazine 26 continues to be provided with empty car-tons C and eggs are supplied to the egg conveyor 24.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described it will be understood that the apparatus is capable of modification and variation without departing from the principles of the invention and that the scope or" the invention should be limited only by the scope and proper vinterpretation of the claims appended hereto.

The invention having thus been described, what is be =lieved to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for feeding a carton from a first station to a second station; a support; a pair of main rails mounted in said suppont and extending between said stations for supporting a carton for slidable movement 'from said first station to said second station; a pair of auxiliary rails mounted `i-n said support and individually vertically spaced below said main rails; a carriage providing a plurality of wheels individually positioned between vertically spaced main and auxiliary rails and in guided engagement therewith so as to mount said carriage for reciprocating movement longitudinally of `said rails from said first station toward said second station, and return; fingers upstanding from said carriage, said fingers being positioned on the outside of said rails and projecting upwardly therefrom VJfor engaging a carton at said first station and pushing it part way toward said second station upon movement of said carriage toward said second station; an endless conveyor mounted in said support between said rails and including a pusher lug movable in a circuitous path successively from a carton engaging position at said first station 4for engaging a carton pushed part way toward said second station by said fingers, thence to said second station to push an engaged carton to said second station, `and return to said engaging position; and powered means connected to said conveyor and to said carriage for movement thereof in timed relation to each other.

2. In an apparatus for feeding elongated cartons longitudinally thereof -from a first station to -a second station; a support; a pair of elongated trails mounted in said support and extending between said stations for supporting a carton for slidable movement from said `first station to said second station; a pair of upstanding guide plates mounted in said support individually outwardly of said rails and being spaced apart by :a distance slightly greater than the transverse dimension of said cartons; `a carriage mounted on said support and guidably engaging said support yand said rails for reciprocating movement longitudinaliy thereof from said first station toward said second station, and return; fingers upstanding from said carriage, said fingers being positioned on the outside of said rails and projecting upwardly therefrom for engaging a carton at said rst station and pushing it part way toward said second station upon movement of said carriage toward said second station; an endless conveyor mounted in said support between said rails and including a pusher lug movable in la circuitous path successively from a carton engaging position at said first station lfor engaging a carton pushed part way toward said second station by said fingers, thence to said second station to push an engaged carton to said second station, and return to said engaging position; and powered means connected to said conveyor and to said carriage -for impart-ing said circuitous movement to said lug and said reciprocating movement tosaid carriage in timed relation to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 531,250 Beardsley Dec. 18, 1894 537,811 Bowie et al Apr. 23, 1895 1,053,534 Price Feb. 18, 1913 1,330,639 Leumann Feb. 10, 1920 1,657,879I Carle an. 31,1928 1,683,950 Borchert Sept. 11, 41928 1,690,920 Bergmann et al Nov. 6, 1928 2,028,410y Rapisarda Ian. 21, 1936 2,154,869' Sampson Apr. 18, 1939 2,277,688 Cattonar et al Mar. 3-1, 1942 2,331,018 Fedorchak et al Oct. 5, 1943 2,595,481 Palmos May 6, 1952 2,601,376 Eaton une 24, 1952 2,616,573 Grady Nov. 4, 1952 2,629,503 Neja Feb. 24, 1953 2,688,413 Donehower et al. Sept. 7, 1954 2,702,132 Van Doren `Feb. 15, 1955 2,717,729' yPage et all, Sept. 113, 1955 2,732,974 Hedges Jan. 31, 1956 2,769,5704 Adams Nov. 6, 1956 2,784,835 Dixon Mar. 12, 1957 2,794,669I Schardinger Iune 4, 1957 2,940,636 Pechy June 14, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 422,786 France Jan. 28, 1911 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING A CARTON FROM A FIRST STATION TO A SECOND STATION; A SUPPORT; A PAIR OF MAIN RAILS MOUNTED IN SAID SUPPORT AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID STATIONS FOR SUPPORTING A CARTON FOR SLIDABLE MOVEMENT FROM SAID FIRST STATION TO SAID SECOND STATION; A PAIR OF AUXILIARY RAILS MOUNTED IN SAID SUPPORT AND INDIVIDUALLY VERTICALLY SPACED BELOW SAID MAIN RAILS; A CARRIAGE PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF WHEELS INDIVIDUALLY POSITIONED BETWEEN VERTICALLY SPACED MAIN AND AUXILIARY RAILS AND IN GUIDED ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH SO AS TO MOUNT SAID CARRIAGE FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID RAILS FROM SAID FIRST STATION TOWARD SAID SECOND STATION, AND RETURN; FINGERS UPSTANDING FROM SAID CARRIAGE, SAID FINGERS BEING POSITIONED ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID RAILS AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY THEREFROM FOR ENGAGING A CARTON AT SAID FIRST STATION AND PUSHING IT PART WAY TOWARD SAID SECOND STATION UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE TOWARD SAID SECOND STATION; AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR MOUNTED IN SAID SUPPORT BETWEEN SAID RAILS AND INCLUDING A PUSHER LUG MOVABLE IN A CIRCUITOUS PATH SUCCESSIVELY FROM A CARTON ENGAGING POSITION AT SAID FIRST STATION FOR ENGAGING A CARTON PUSHED PART WAY TOWARD SAID SECOND STATION BY SAID FINGERS, THENCE TO SAID SECOND STATION TO PUSH AN ENGAGED CARTON TO SAID SECOND STATION, AND RETURN TO SAID ENGAGING POSITION; AND POWERED MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CONVEYOR AND TO SAID CARRIAGE FOR MOVEMENT THEREOF IN TIMED RELATION TO EACH OTHER. 